carboplatin + nab-paclitaxel + cetuximab

A three-drug cancer regimen combining the platinum agent carboplatin, the nanoparticle albumin-bound taxane nab-paclitaxel, and the anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody cetuximab. Mechanistically, carboplatin forms DNA crosslinks causing DNA damage and apoptosis; nab-paclitaxel stabilizes microtubules to inhibit mitosis; and cetuximab blocks epidermal growth factor receptor signaling and mediates antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. This combination has been investigated primarily in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), including as induction therapy for locally advanced disease and as first-line therapy for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC under the CACTUX regimen, showing feasibility and antitumor activity in phase II and institutional studies.

Other names

carboplatin plus nab-paclitaxel plus cetuximabCACTUX regimen